Esperanza Rallies in Second Half to Beat Cypress, Stay Undefeated

Cypress celebrated at the end of a scoreless first half against top-ranked Esperanza. But the Aztecs got to enjoy a jubilant finish after a 26-7 victory in an Empire League game in front of 2,500 Thursday at Valencia High School.

It was the second consecutive undefeated regular season for Esperanza (10-0, 5-0 in league). Last year, the Aztecs went 14-0 in winning the Division III championship, and have won 24 in a row.

Cypress (2-8, 0-5) controlled the ball for about 15 minutes in the first half but could get no closer than the Esperanza 33.

Esperanza scored on a 14-play, 73-yard drive to open the second half. Jeff Gaeta scored on a 10-yard run with 5:09 left in the quarter. He also scored on a five-yard run with less than two minutes left in the game.

Garrick Emry scored the two touchdowns in between for the Aztecs, who had clinched the Empire League title last week.

Emry, a senior, led all rushers with 174 yards in 21 carries and also scored on a 10-yard run. He has gained 894 yards this season.

Cypress score came on the most impressive play of the game. Quarterback Gabe Garcia lofted a pass toward the end zone and receiver Johnny Teutimez made a diving catch as he crossed the goal line for a 27-yard touchdown with less than four minutes to play.